Holiday Traditions - Railroad Park

Every year we meet friends at the Railroad Park in the area where they put on a huge light display. You ride through the lights on their scale model steam train. So much fun. This is something that we look forward to every year. A chance to look at lights, ride a train and spend time with special friends.

Here we all are waiting for the train to start. It was a really beautiful night. Very comfortable for short sleeves, or light jacket, and being outside.

 The kids waiting for the start of their ride. We got the first car!

They have characters wandering around to take your picture with. I don't know who this is, anyone?

No need to say who this is! COOKIES!!!

  Little Miss K w/ Daddy looking at all the pretty light displays

J on the Carousel

S on the Carousel

 R and A on the Carousel

 E, K and Daddy on the Carousel

With Pooh Bear. This is the only character that J. would go to and he went to him repeatedly. So cute!

The Crew leaving the park.

Thanks, Julie and family for another wonderful time at the park looking at lights and celebrating the season. You are a treasure to me and I consider myself blessed to call you friend!

Advent

The Glorious Coming A Jesse Tree Advent Celebration by Ann Voskamp

This is our third year going through Ann Voskamp's beautiful Jesse Tree Advent devotional. Unfortunately, the book is no longer in print but, Ann has graciously made it available, for free. Go to the link above and follow the instructions for downloading. You won't be disappointed. While you're there, sit a spell. You will be blessed. Ann's blog is one of those blogs that I visit and instantly feel at peace. A truly gifted woman of God.

Bartholomew's Passage a Family Story for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide is another book we went through this advent season. This is our second time reading Bartholomew's Passage for advent. We have the other two books in the series, Jotham's Journey and Tabitha's Travels that we alternate reading every year. The kids love to follow the story every night as there are always quite the cliff hanger endings every evening.

Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of our advent candles this year. I don't know why, it just never happened. Next year! Next year I will be on top of it and take more pictures. :)

The end!

My last list of Christmas books we read this year. There might be a straggler here and there that the kids have taken away, but this is the end of what I had handy and I'm ready to package them up for next year. :)

The Story of Christmas for Children by Catharine Brandt
Another book from my childhood that tells the story of Christ's birth, starting with the angel visiting Mary to Joseph's dream warning him to flee to Egypt.

Biscuit's Christmas a scratch and sniff book by Alyssa Satin Capucilli pictures by Pat Schories
A little picture book w/ the lovable dog, Biscuit. This book is supposed to be a scratch and sniff book but ours never smelled like anything besides a book!

Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
The Gingerbread Baby makes his escape and only Mattie knows how to catch him. Jan Brett's illustrations, as usual, make this story.

Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift by Max Lucado, illustrated by Sergio Martinez
Another story of Punchinello and the other Wemicks who all try to outdo each other for Maker's Day.

The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtiz Higgs, illustrated by Nancy Munger
The story of a farmer and his family who nurture tiny seedlings into beautiful Christmas trees. The farmers keep one special tree, that they just can't part with until a special family comes along and the family sacrifice their favorite tree to bring joy and love to a poor family.

The Bears' Christmas by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Papa Bear shows his son how to sled, ski and skate with crazy results.

Frosty the Snow Man Musical Board Book pictures by Corinne Malver
A board book to the fun song, Frosty the Snowman. It used to play the song as well but the battery died and there's no way to change it out. :(

Mary's Treasure Box by Carolyn Walz Kramlich, illustrated by Walter Porter
Mary shows her granddaughter her special box with all the things she received from Jesus' birth and shares the story and meaning behind each one.

A Star for Jesus by Crystal Bowman, illustrated by Claudine Gevry
A board book telling the nativity story.

The Night Beore Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, a pop-up by Robert Sabuda
Another pop-up book with the paper art of Robert Sabuda. Just incredible and intricate. We love, love, love his books.

The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Christian Birmingham
This version is the one we read every Christmas Eve with the kids gathered around the Christmas tree sipping hot chocolate.

Our list is long and quite a mixture of secular, religious, serious and fun. Everyone has their favorites but all are fun to listen to once a year.  Hope you enjoyed our list of Christmas books!

and More Christmas Books

Continuing on with my list. :)

We Three Kings illustrated by Olga Zharkova
The song, We Three Kings, in storybook format.

Mystery in the Stable by Lisa Flinn and Barbara Younger, illustrated by Judi Niernberger
Anna and Jacob live in Bethlehem and are noticing all the extra people coming into town for the Census. One family, in particular, catch their eye and they work on solving the mystery of just who this special family is.

Jacob's Gift by Max Lucado, illustrated by Robert Hunt.
Jacob is a gifted carpenters apprentice. He is excited about the competition between himself and the other apprentices for building the best project, the winner gets to help build the Temple. Just as Jacob is about to finish his project, the night before it's due, he has to make an important decision, one that could cost him the opportunity to help build the Temple.

On Christmas Eve by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Nancy Edwards Calder.
Christmas Eve as seen through the eyes of 3 young children. MWB uses very few words in this beautiful story but all the magic of childhood and Christmas Eve are captured.

Diane Goode's American Christmas
A collection of American poems, stories and songs.

The Mitten by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Yaroslava
A retelling of the Ukrainian folktale of a young boy who looses a mitten and the amazing journey his mitten has.

The Legend of The Christmas Kiss by Barbie Jenkins, illustrated by Joyce Revoir
A cute story that tells where snow comes from, Angel Kisses of course!

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
Mr. Toomey is a gloomy, grumpy loner until the widow and her son enter his life asking him to carve a nativity for her. As the nativity pieces come to life, so does Mr. Toomey. A sweet story of Christmas love and sharing.

The Christmas Story According to Luke illustrated by Donald Kueker
The King James version of the book of Luke telling the Christmas story.

A Special Place for Santa by Jeanne Piepper
Santa overhears shoppers talking about how he has taken away from the real meaning of Christmas. Upset and worried, Santa contemplates whether he has become more important than Christ. As he sits in the church, where he always delivers his last gift of the year, a voice speaks to him reminding him of his true beginnings as St. Nicholas spreading God's love and charity throughout the world and how there is always a place for him next to Christ's manger.

Clopper the Christmas Donkey by Emily King, illustrated by Ed Olson
The nativity story as told through the eyes of Clopper, a donkey who was there.

The CandyMaker's Gift written and illustrated by David & Helen Haidle
A story of how the candy cane came to be and how it tells the story of Christ's love and redemption for us.

The Christmas Promise by Susan Bartoletti, illustrated by David Christiana
The depression has hit and times are hard, everywhere. In this story a young girl and her father ride the rails looking for work. When they are separated, Papa leaving his girl at a safe, warm home to find work, he promises her he'll be home in time to celebrate Christmas together. As the days count down, will her Papa come back for her in time? A sweet, inspirational story of love and promises.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Another book we have two of, one is my copy from childhood and one is a newer version (without a broken spine ;) ).  This is a favorite of everyone in the family. It tells the story of Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree, that was too tall for his home, so they chopped off the top. From there the fun begins as Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree gets shared with humans and animals alike.

The Christmas Pageant by Christy Colby Heno, illustrated by Maren J. Scott
A story of a Christmas Pageant gone wrong, one of the wisemen doesn't feel too good and the resulting chaos that ensues. All except for Mary and Joseph who remain peaceful through the whole thing as they watch over their precious baby Jesus.

The Baby Jesus by Alan and Linda Parry
A sweet touch and feel book that we've had ever since our oldest was a baby.

Gertie the Goldfish and the Christmas Surprise by Naomi Judd, illustrated by Tom Bancroft & Rob Corley.
Gertie comes to Josh and Emily's house and helps them understand the true meaning of Christmas.

More to follow!

More Christmas Books

Continuing with my list of Christmas books.

My Merry Christmas and the Real Reason for Christmas Joy by Sally Lloyd Jones, illustrated by Linda Clearwater.
This is a sweet board book that tells the story of Christ's birth alongside the joys of our modern traditions. Very sweet, simple book for our youngsters.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Illustrated by Jan Brett
Another Jan Brett favorite as she shares her creative and beautiful illustrations to retell this famous poem/song. The one thing about this book that drives my kids crazy, because they like to sing the book instead of read the book ;), is that her order of events for the days are out of order from how you usually hear it sung.

Counting to Christmas by Nancy Tafuri
An advent, of sorts, book counting down the days to Christmas. The girl in the book does different activities throughout the month from crafting to baking to making nature goodies for birds and squirrels. Very sweet, peaceful book that is a favorite at our home. :)

Nine Days to Christmas a Story of Mexico by Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida
Cici is finally old enough for her own Posada, which means, she gets to pick out her very first pinata!  Sweet story of a little girls anticipation as she waits for the magical day of her Posada and how she helps a pinata become "real".

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Somehow we have two of these books, but we only read it once. ;) If you've never enjoyed the Christmas story told with the Herdmans involved, you definitely need to go out and get this book to read! Hilarious and poignant as the real meaning of Christmas is revealed to all those present.

Pooh's Christmas Days 
This is a sound board book that has lost it's sounds. :)  It's another version of the Twelve Days of Christmas, Pooh style.

The Littlest Christmas Tree by Janie Jasin, illustrated by Pam Kurtz
The story of a little tree that dreams of becoming a beautiful Christmas tree one day. As she grows, she listens to the wisdom of the older trees around her so she can become a beautiful, tall, straight tree when she is older. As the title says, a simple tale of growing and becoming.

Wombat Divine by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Kerry Argent
Another book that we somehow have two of! This one we did read two separate times, as it's a favorite. :) Wombat wants to be in the Christmas pageant more than anything else but none of the parts fit him. As he tries for each role and each role doesn't fit him just right, his friends encourage him to keep trying until he finds the very best part in the pageant and it's just perfect for him. We all love this book.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, pictures by Barbara Cooney
It was the year that Ruthie's family was chosen to provide the town with the Christmas Tree. Early in spring, Ruthie and her father went up high on the ridge to pick just the right tree. Later that year, Ruthie's father had to go away to the war and as Christmas was getting closer the town people were getting worried there would be no Christmas Tree that year. Ruthie's mother told the preacher they would have a tree, provided by their family and that's what she and Ruthie did. A sweet story of Christmas in the Appalachian mountains and how a little girls dreams came true one Christmas, the year of the Perfect Christmas tree.

If you Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
From the same author and story line of If you Give a Mouse a cookie, with a Christmas slant. :) Cute and fun book.

That's it for this post! Stay tuned for my next installment of Christmas books we read this year. :)